levorotatory

(lē'və-rō'tə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) also le·vo·ro·ta·ry (-tə-rē)
adj. (Symbol l-)
Of or relating to an optically active chemical that rotates the plane of polarized light to the left, or counterclockwise: Only levorotatory amino acids are biologically active.

View more Health videos

(lē'və-rō'tə-tôr'ē) or le·vo·ro·ta·ry (-rō'tə-rē)
adj.

1. Turning or rotating the plane of polarization of light to the left.
2. Of or relating to a chemical solution that rotates such a plane to the left.

or (esp. Brit.) laevorotatory 1

1. symbol: ( — )- or (formerly) l-; describing a chemical compound that rotates the plane of polarization of a transmitted beam of plane-polarized light or other electromagnetic radiation to the left, i.e. in an anticlockwise direction as viewed by the observer looking towards the light source.
2. describing any leftwards or anticlockwise rotation. Compare dextrorotatory.

—levorotation or laevorotation n.

Previous:	levodopa, levo-, levo+
Next:	levorphanol, levulose, lexA

Turning the plane of polarization, or rays of light, to the left.